City officials said William Navon, the owner of a building on Tybrisa Street, did not have a permit to tear down a historic structure, which previously housed the Island Style retail shop before that business ceased operations late last year.

Planning and Zoning Manager Dianne Otto contends the owner only received permission to remodel the building and replace its roof. Had Mr. Navon filed an application for demolition, it would have been forwarded to the preservation commission for review.

That didn’t happen.

Harold Yellin, Mr. Navon’s attorney, disputed the city’s version. But things shouldn’t be so muddled. The process must be clear and predictable.

Fortunately, this seems to be a case of no harm, no foul.

Cullen Chambers, Tybee’s historic preservation adviser, said the preservation commission would likely have agreed that Mr. Navon’s building could not be saved. He would have gotten permission to tear it down.

Now, however, things are more complicated. That’s bad for the owner and for Tybee.

The building’s demolition has forced the commission having to revise its application for a fourth national historic district on the island. This district had included Tybrisa. At the same time, Mr. Navon has to get city approval of a site plan. That means his project must meet additional requirements for parking, setbacks and buffers.

Tybee may have some old buildings with little or no historical value. Yet the seaside community has architectural gems that are part of its charm. Some may be diamonds in the rough. That’s why the city needs added protection to prevent noteworthy structures from being knocked down.

The preservation commission wants to be notified any time a building that’s at least 50 years old is going to be renovated. Then, committee members can make site visits and verify whether the building is historically significant or not.

Tybee City Council should approve it. This added wrinkle shouldn’t be burdensome. It also seems needed. There’s no second chance when it comes to demolitions. It’s important to get it right the first time.

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They should have saved 1 wall. Tybee demolished the old parking services building at the end of Tybreeza st at the parking lot. State won't let them rebuild, must be 14 ft in the air if it has a bathroom, ( Hench the royal potties everywhere ) You would think TYBEE OFFICIALS would have known that. Un fortunately the poor folks at waves may have a un useable piece of property now.

...own two Waves stores, 2 Flying Fish, one warehouse just off Hwy 80 and the old Fitzgibbon place on Meddin- all on Tybee. The demolished location is to be another store. Do they know something about the market for tee shirts that other retailers do not? Will they now tear down the Fitzgibbon homestead and beg forgiveness? What's going on here?

Sounds to me that you follow the Navons more closely than you should. Maybe its time that you follow yourself instead of worrying about what others do. People like you like to stigmatize others and gossip about things that are none of your business. Buy a building and do what you want, otherwise mind your own. Sounds to me like you are a little jealous of what others have/own

I do believe it is time this place stops gossiping. There are too many stories being passed around this little town. It is a shame that the Navon's have not thought to have some of these posts tracked. Whether you know it or not, you have written your gossip in public forum now and have progressed from slander,(hard to prove) to libel, an offense which can be taken to court. If you do not know people, you should not gossip. The same rumors for 20 years almost now. Grow up.

Ferrumlady maybe if the locals felt like the Navons were putting back into the community instead of just take, take ,taking from the community, they might feel a little different. For instance, out of all those stores they own, how many local kids do you see working in any of them? I've never seen one. Instead, they import young European girls, to work all these stores, instead of hiring some of our local kids. You got some locals wondering, what's going on here?